EGM July 08 issue #229 info and reviews (Ouch @ Metal Gear Solid IV)

hey guys, just got the latest EGM (july 2008, issue 229) i don't know if we are allowed to post scans (the last time that I did that in other forum I got banned) but if you want to see them, just pm me! I'm going to make a short summary of the best things in this issue, enjoy!

Cover: Gears of War 2

- if you play the entire main campaign in co-op, there will be special cut-scenes and decisions that will affect the game various endings.

- Different difficulty settings for each player in co-op

- the length of the campaign will be around 15 hours

- a new stamina bar will determine for how long your character can run and fight, the lower the stamina, the worse your performance will be.

- a new boss called "acheron" revealed. it looks like a gargantuan mammoth that the locust use in order to destroy large vehicles

- new multiplayer mode called "ordeal", it's a mission where you compete to see who kills 100 enemies first.

- new multiplayer mode called "en-garde", chainsaws only!

- notable graphical improvements in terms of lighting and amount of enemies on screen.

Previews / hands-on:

- banjo kazooie nuts and bolts (360): a lot of what they played was mostly vehicle sections. the amount of customization is mind-blowing, sadly they haven't seen too much of platforming action.

- deblob (Wii): addictive, charming and fun wii platformer, could be a sleeper hit.

- bioshock (PS3): better load times than the 360 versions, will have the dlc that the 360 versions had, 2 new exclusive weapons: pyroplasm and shock gauntlet.

Rumors:

- Skies of Arcadia sequel will be announced sooner than you might think, along with that other SEGA franchise that you want the most, both for the Wii

- Rockband 2 will allow players to save their own videos and upload them to the internet in a "youtube-esque" mode

- God of war Chains Of Olympus will be ported to the PS2 this August, don't be surprised when this gets announced officially soon....

Reviews:

- Ninja Gaiden II "Game of the Month" (360): A [Milkman] A- [Bettenhausen] A- [Garnett Lee]

Pros: visceral combat, video mode

Cons: corny cut-scenes, awkward camera

- Metal Gear Solid IV (PS3): A [Jeremy Parish] A- [Crispin Boyer] B+ [Milkman]

Pros: refined gameplay, interesting story

Cons: more cutscenes than gameplay!

- Space Invaders Extreme (DS/PSP): A- B+ B-

- We Ski (Wii): A B- B-

- GT5 Prologue (PS3): B+ B B

- Lost Planet Colonies (PS3/360): C+ B- D+

- R-Type Command (PSP): C- B- B-

Electronic Nongaming Monthly: Wii Fit

edit: looks like sending scans of american magazines via pm's is also prohibited

NG2 june gotm awesome!

Ah...the first beating of MGS by NG2.

Keep 'em coming!

Hows the MGS 4 review a OUCH, thats a great score. black_awpN1

fanboys need something to complain about, they want perfect scores.

"More cutscenes than gameplay"

That's not a con nor a pro. MGS is about the story... :|

"- banjo kazooie nuts and bolts (Wii): a lot of what they played was mostly vehicle sections. the amount of customization is mind-blowing, sadly they haven't seen too much of platforming action."

Whaaa?

"More cutscenes than gameplay"

That's not a con nor a pro. MGS is about the story... :|

gasmaskman

so watch a movie if want a story .

"More cutscenes than gameplay"

That's not a con nor a pro. MGS is about the story... :|

gasmaskman

when did video games become movies thats what I wanna know

[QUOTE="gasmaskman"]

"More cutscenes than gameplay"

That's not a con nor a pro. MGS is about the story... :|

ParadiddleFill

when did video games become movies thats what I wanna know

When did you have to play it?

I think EGM is one of the only publications that will complain about MGS4's cutscenes. I stopped reading them a long time ago.AmyMizuno

While I too stopped subscribing to them AGES ago (probably before some people here were born), why do you think they will be the only people to complain about that? It is one of the BIGGEST complaints about the series. That and the gameplay, which this article did say was "refined" at least. Add in crazy characters and silly story, and I just never liked it at ALL. First game I ever fell asleep on (during a long cutscene).

[QUOTE="black_awpN1"]Hows the MGS 4 review a OUCH, thats a great score. blitzkid1

fanboys need something to complain about, they want perfect scores.

i dont think its really about the score more so than the fact that the end all of gamesaccording to some cows atleast didnt even get gotm( if you cant get gotm how can you get goty)

- banjo kazooie nuts and bolts (Wii): a lot of what they played was mostly vehicle sections. the amount of customization is mind-blowing, sadly they haven't seen too much of platforming action.

Prosecut0rGodot

That would be the day wouldn't it?

wtg NG:2 getting game of the month and even on same month MGS4 comes out.

sorry, for the nuts and bolts mistake :oops:

Hows the MGS 4 review a OUCH, thats a great score. black_awpN1

geow 2 sounds nice, banjo could be great but seems frustrating

what "other" Sega game are they talking about? Panzer Dragoon, Shinobi, Jet Set Radio what is it?

also rofl at chains of olympus

Honestly, as someone who is strongly considering buying the MGS4 PS3 bundle, it's disappointing to hear about the amount of cutscenes in the game, and I was hoping they'd cut down on that. The biggest reason I think Chaos Theory is the best stealth game ever is because it actually lets you play.

I'm sure I'll still buy it anyway.

Hows the MGS 4 review a OUCH, thats a great score. black_awpN1

That B+ could spell trouble, we should wait till IGN reviews it. If it doesn't get AAA at IGN, it would be a interesting time in System Wars, I would feel really sorry for the mods.

NG2 = Game of the Month? :oBioShockOwnz

Everytime I read about NG2's replay video mode, I feel like taking the Housers and strangling them. Such a missed opportunity not to include that in GTAIV. SUCH a missed opportunity.

for reference. ninja Gaiden got 9.5, 9, 9 MGS4 got 9.5,9,8.5

space invaders extreme got 9,8.5,7.5

Love it how some reviews sound like there isn't a skip button...after the first play through and you know the story, the next time you simply skip the scenes, like most would do.

hardly a con...geez.

if anything, games these days need good storys...longer the better, IMO.

[QUOTE="BioShockOwnz"]NG2 = Game of the Month? :oZeliard9

Everytime I read about NG2's replay video mode, I feel like taking the Housers and strangling them. Such a missed opportunity not to include that in GTAIV. SUCH a missed opportunity.

Agreed. I've had so many awesome moments in single player and multiplayer. :( Some of those things I can't relive,

That B+ could spell trouble, we should wait till IGN reviews it. If it doesn't get AAA at IGN, it would be a interesting time in System Wars, I would feel really sorry for the mods.

Chaos_HL21

Love it how some reviews sound like there isn't a skip button...after the first play through and you know the story, the next time you simply skip the scenes, like most would do.

hardly a con...geez.

if anything, games these days need good storys...longer the better, IMO.

Forensic-Klown

games should not need cutscenes to tell a story. I buy a game for interactive entertainment not passive entertainment

Nuts and Bolts is going to the Wii?WhatTheDunk

lol:lol: Your sig is hilarious!!! Charizard, I choose you!!!

Nice to see a game like NG2 get game of the month over MGSIV.

"More cutscenes than gameplay"

That's not a con nor a pro. MGS is about the story... :|

gasmaskman

It can be kinda a con. Having way too many cutscenes could slow the pace of the game a little.

Love it how some reviews sound like there isn't a skip button...after the first play through and you know the story, the next time you simply skip the scenes, like most would do.

hardly a con...geez.

if anything, games these days need good storys...longer the better, IMO.

Forensic-Klown

I don't think it's the fact that you can't skip them. It says:

Cons: more cutscenes than gameplay!

That's completely different. There's ways to tell stories without cutscenes. Some of the best games told stories without constant cutscenes.

Ah...the first beating of MGS by NG2.

Keep 'em coming!

TBoogy

oh yes! haze was only the begining of the cow feast to come. bring on the burgers cause mgs4 is gonna be butchered by NG2!!!

[QUOTE="Chaos_HL21"]

That B+ could spell trouble, we should wait till IGN reviews it. If it doesn't get AAA at IGN, it would be a interesting time in System Wars, I would feel really sorry for the mods.

Eltroz

But boy if it does flop it would be like the biggest flop in the history of System Wars, Maybe we should start building fallout shelters. :o

But I agree I don't think it will happen.

[QUOTE="Forensic-Klown"]

Love it how some reviews sound like there isn't a skip button...after the first play through and you know the story, the next time you simply skip the scenes, like most would do.

hardly a con...geez.

if anything, games these days need good storys...longer the better, IMO.

BioShockOwnz

I don't think it's the fact that you can't skip them. It says:

Cons: more cutscenes than gameplay!

That's completely different. There's ways to tell stories without cutscenes. Some of the best games told stories without constant cutscenes.

Why does it matter? I don't mind - the story is great, and I don't mind cutscenes. It's the way the series has always been... people should be used to it.

skies of arcadia sequel?!?!?!!!!
:shock:

please let it be true :cry:

Even more good news for MGS fans. MGS4 is sounding more and more like MGS2 (a.k.a. Kojima's greatest masterpiece).

Too people complaining about the amound of cutscenes, don't buy MGS4. This game is for the fans. There'll be many cutscenes. Oh happy day.